Survey of quality control testing practices on low titer group O whole blood in the United States

BACKGROUND: Use of low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB) continues to increase in the United States (US). This survey sampled the quality control (QC) practices among the largest blood collectors in the US. METHODS: A survey on LTOWB collection, QC testing, and distribution was developed and electronically distributed to the chief medical officers of 16 large blood collectors in the US. Only complete survey responses were included. RESULTS: The response rate was 10/16 (63%) representing approximately 80% of the US blood supply as estimated by the respondents. All of the respondents collected LTOWB from males and 7/10 (70%) also collected from never pregnant females. Eight out of nine (89%) centers that repeat donor anti-A and -B titer testing do so on every donation, with 1/9 (11%) respondent testing previously low titer donors annually. The most common antibody titer threshold that defined low titer was